EP0669008B1 - Reflecting and luminous layered material - Google Patents
Reflecting and luminous layered material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0669008B1 EP0669008B1 EP93922175A EP93922175A EP0669008B1 EP 0669008 B1 EP0669008 B1 EP 0669008B1 EP 93922175 A EP93922175 A EP 93922175A EP 93922175 A EP93922175 A EP 93922175A EP 0669008 B1 EP0669008 B1 EP 0669008B1
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- Prior art keywords
- layer
- cube corner
- light
- formations
- phosphorescent
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21K2/00—Non-electric light sources using luminescence; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
- G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
- G02B5/122—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type
- G02B5/124—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
Definitions
- the present invention relates to flexible layered material which is simultaneously self luminating and capable of reflecting light from an outside source.
- the material may be in sheet form comprising an overlying layer of prismatic light reflecting material and an underlying layer of luminescent material in which the latter can be selectively energized to become luminous.
- the material functions independently of a change in its surroundings, such as the presence or absence of an external light source, and will continue to be fully operational even when the surroundings change.
- Various reflective materials are commonly employed for safety and decorative purposes.
- One of the most common principles employed is simply to apply a reflective coating upon a surface of the item or to construct the item of a highly reflective material such as polished metal.
- a reflective coating upon a surface of the item or to construct the item of a highly reflective material such as polished metal.
- structures which have upon one or both surfaces various formations which reflect the light rays impinging thereon, either principally as a result of the steepness of the angle at which the light ray impinges the surface or by virtue of reflective coatings on the surface of the formations.
- retroreflective materials i.e. materials capable of reflecting the bulk of the light rays impinging thereon in a substantially parallel path back toward the source of the light.
- Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company has sold a material under the trademark SCOTCHLITE which relies upon minute glass spheres embedded in a matrix of synthetic resin to provide such retroreflection.
- Another type of retroreflective element has been a molded member having cube corner formations on one surface thereof, such molded members being formed from glass or synthetic plastic.
- Cube corner reflectors molded from glass and more recently from acrylic resins have commonly been employed as safety devices on bicycles, automobiles and other vehicles. Although it had long been suggested that the cube corner might be of small dimension until the advent of the U.S. Patent to Rowland, No. 3,684,348, generally such formations were of appreciable size. Furthermore, the nature of the material from which reflectors were fabricated resulted in structures which were relatively rigid in character and which did not lend themselves either to shaping to various substrates of nonplanar character or to use as a fabric which might be worn.
- the Rowland patent represented a significant advancement in the field of reflective materials. That patent discloses a retroreflective composite synthetic plastic material comprised of a body portion having substantially smooth surfaces on opposite sides thereof and a large number of minute cube corner formations closely spaced about and projecting from one of the smooth surfaces.
- the cube corner formations each have three faces and a base adjacent the body portion with a side edge dimension said to be not more than 0.025 inch (0.635mm) and preferably less than 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) and the close spacing avoids any substantial smooth areas therebetween.
- the body portion and the cube corner formations are separately formed from essentially transparent synthetic plastic resin and are bonded together into a composite structure wherein those light rays entering into the material through the opposite surface of the body portion predominately pass through the body portion and into the cube corner formations by which they are reflected back through the composite structure substantially parallel to the path of entry.
- each cube corner formation has one face parallel to one face of every other cube corner formation.
- the cube corner formations are substantially equal in size and arranged in a pattern of rows and columns.
- the center-to-center spacing between cube corner formations in every row and between cube corner formations in every column is in accordance with a uniform pattern to insure close spacing of the formations and good retroreflection.
- the apex of each cube corner formation is in alignment with the apices of all of the cube corner formations located in the pattern row and column in which it is disposed, and each apex is vertically aligned with the center of its base.
- the composite material has a reflective coating deposited on the cube corner formations.
- An adhesive layer may then be provided on the reflective coating and a removable piece of sheet material loosely adhered to the adhesive layer.
- This self-adherent composite structure may be readily used since the sheet material may be removed to adhere the retroreflective sheet material to a substrate.
- the reflective coating is metallic and the structure includes a layer of resin deposited on the metallic coating to provide protection therefor.
- a protective resin layer it is customary to provide an integral, non-removable backing sheet to provide protection for the cube corner formations which can be easily damaged.
- the backing sheet also serves to enhance the reflectability of the cube corner formations.
- luminous material or "luminous composition” is intended to include any material or composition which has phosphorescent, fluorescent, and/or auto luminescent properties.
- An early disclosure of a luminous device is provided in U.S. Patent No. 1,373,783 to Willis which discloses a glass plate mounted in a metal holder with a layer of luminous powder compressed between the glass plate and the holder.
- luminous adhesive sheet or tape material is disclosed.
- a sheet of cellulose film is provided with a permanently tacky, pressure-sensitive, adhesive coating containing a luminous material.
- the coating is applied to one surface of the sheet or tape and is visible through the sheet or tape when the latter is applied to a supporting object.
- U.S. Patent No. 3,260,846 to Feuer discloses a light source utilizing the beta ray energy of a radioactive material characterized by having a front phosphor region of sufficient depth to absorb the emitted beta rays but not the light generated by the radioactive excitation of the phosphor particles. It includes a back heavy metal reflecting region which, due to the high atomic number, at least 45, serves to back scatter the beta particles as well as reflect light. The reflected beta particles then further excite the forward phosphor regions and ultimately this energy is discharged from the system in a form of light energy.
- the luminescent material is of flexible vinyl plastic film which absorbs energy from any light source to which it is exposed, whether natural sunlight, or artificial incandescent or fluorescent light, and chemically generates a luminous light in response thereto.
- the film produces an intense bright green glow which is visible in absolute darkness for a duration of approximately thirty minutes. After that period of time, even though eighty to eighty-five percent of its luminosity will have diminished, it continues to exhibit a visible glow for up to an additional eight hour period of time. Nonetheless, after exposure of three to ten seconds of ambient light, the film can be recharged to its maximum capacity.
- the material includes a first layer of prismatic light reflective plastic material having an underlying surface formed with a plurality of minute prism-like formations projecting therefrom at regular spaced intervals and an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface. Bonded as by heat sealing to the first layer is a second layer of plastic luminescent material contiguously and integrally attached to the underlying surface of prism-like formations and generally coextensive therewith.
- the combination of the two vinyl layers thereby created a new material which had the characteristics of both.
- the retroreflective phosphorescent type material of the invention reflected light back in the direction of its source and also produced its own light in conditions of subdued light and total darkness. This unique combination enabled the material of the invention to be visible when light was shined onto it, and also when the light source was extinguished entirely. Additionally, the visibility enhancing material of the invention was visible under extreme variations and lighting conditions, including total darkness. This was an unexpected phenomenon since the construction of the retroreflective material disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,684,348 and marketed under the trademark "REFLEXITE" was not previously known to be transparent or translucent to any substantial extent.
- layered reflecting and luminous material comprising:
- a method of making layered reflecting and luminous material comprising the steps of:
- the present invention is considered to be an improvement over the material disclosed in U.S. applications Ser. No. 07/954,387, 07/890,391 and Ser. No. 07/890,392 (US Patents Nos. 5300783, 5237448 and 5243457). It was, therefore, with knowledge of the foregoing that the present invention was conceived and has now been reduced to practice.
- the layers of prismatic light reflecting material and luminescent material are joined at a first region of finite width as by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, sewing, or stapling into a unitary structure such that the prism-like formations are substantially destroyed.
- a second region is thereby defined at which the first layer and the second layer are physically distinct.
- the layered material simultaneously radiates luminescent light from the second layer through the underlying surface of cube corner formations (hereinafter referred to as prism-like formations) through the smooth light transmissive surface and reflected light from the prism-like formations through the smooth light transmissive surface of the first layer. Only phosphorescent light radiates from the first region.
- the second layer may be replaced with a layer of luminescent material which can be selectively energized to become luminous.
- reflecting and luminous layered material which combines the advantages of a light reflective component and a luminescent component.
- the material includes a first layer of prismatic light reflective plastics material having an underlying surface formed with a plurality of minute prism-like formations projecting therefrom at regular spaced intervals and an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface.
- the material also includes a second layer of plastics luminescent material attached to the underlying surface of the prism-like formations.
- the layers are joined at a first region as by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, sewing, or stapling into a unitary structure such that the prism-like formations are substantially destroyed.
- a second region is thereby defined at which the first layer and the second layer are physically distinct.
- An electroluminescent lamp is received in the second region and can be selectively energized. When the lamp is energized, its light radiates through the underlying surface of prism-like formations and through the smooth light transmissive surface. Simultaneously, reflected light from the prism-like formations partially energizes the second layer of luminescent material.
- the invention at least in its preferred embodiments, aims to provide:
- FIG. 1 illustrates, in section, flexible visibility enhancing material 20.
- the material 20 is layered and may be of sheet or tape form.
- a first layer 22 of the material is comprised of prismatic light reflective material having an underlying surface formed with a plurality of minute prism-like formations 24 which project outwardly from a main body 26 at regular spaced intervals.
- the main body is also formed with an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface 28.
- the first layer 22 may be substantially similar to the construction disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,684,348, cited above.
- the prism-like formations 24 are actually cube corner formations each of which has three planar faces which are disposed in planes perpendicular to each other and intersecting along their side edges. The apex of each such prism-like formation is vertically aligned with the center of the base.
- the formations 24 are arranged in a pattern providing rows and columns and the center-to-center spacing between the apices of the formations along the rows and columns is in accordance with a regular pattern to assure close spacing and avoid substantially any flat areas between them.
- the light ray is directed to a second of the planar surfaces, then to a third of the planar surfaces, after which it is directed out of the formation 24 in a return path indicated by a reflected light ray 32.
- the path of the reflected light ray 32 is substantially parallel to that of the light ray 30 before entering the main body 26. Indeed, this is the principle of retroreflection which is utilized by the material manufactured and sold by Reflexite Corporation of New Jersey, Connecticut under the trademark "REFLEXITE".
- a reflective coating overlying the prism-like formations 24 may be provided by a metallized synthetic plastic film which is brought into intimate contact with the surface of the cube corner formations.
- a second layer 34 of luminescent material is applied to the prism-like formations 24 so as to be contiguously and integrally attached thereto and generally coextensive therewith.
- the second layer 34 is preferably of a vinyl material having luminescent qualities such as that mentioned above which is commercially available under the trademark "SPOT-LITE".
- the second layer 34 may be bonded to the formations 24 as by heat or ultrasonic sealing performed in such a manner that the quality of the prism-like formations is not compromised in any manner.
- a coating or layer 36 of a permanently tacky, pressure sensitive adhesive is deposited on the surface of the second layer 34 opposite the prism-like formations 24. Thereafter, a sheet of backing material 38, or release paper, is applied so as to overlie the adhesive 36 and is loosely adhered thereon. To mount this structure on a suitable surface, the sheet 38 is removed and the remaining composite material pressed thereagainst so that the adhesive coating will adhere thereto.
- Supporting surfaces for the visibility enhancing material 20 of the invention are virtually limitless and, as noted above, may include walls, buildings, signs, clothing, vehicles, and a variety of other receiving surfaces.
- a surface 28 is an outermost surface and is first subjected to a primary light ray 30.
- Light rays 30 impinge upon the prism-like formations 24 and, with the aid of the second Layer 34 of luminescent material providing a reflective background, are redirected as reflected light rays 32.
- the second layer 34 emits its luminescence through the prism-like formations 24 and through the first layer 22 and through the smooth light transmissive surface 28 to regions external of the material 20.
- the material 20 of the invention is substantially as reflective as the unmodified REFLEXITE material, or equivalent, which is utilized in its construction.
- the luminescence emitted by the material 20 of the invention is substantially the same as the unmodified "SPOT-LITE" material, or other similar luminescent material.
- the first layer 22 may be available in a wide assortment of colors including white, yellow, orange, blue, and red, for rendering further enhanced visibility to an underlying structure.
- FIG. 2 and 3 Another arrangement is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 which comprises modified flexible material 60 of the type according to which the luminescent material can be selectively energized to become luminescent.
- the second layer 34 of luminescent material depicted in Figure 1 has been replaced by a composite layered system 62 comprised of a plurality of sublayers which are bonded together in a suitable manner and encapsulated so as to be substantially hermetically sealed.
- a first electrode 64 typically of aluminum foil, has bonded thereto, first a plastic dielectric layer 66, then a phosphor layer 68 comprised in substantial part of zinc sulfide.
- the layers 66 and 68 may be screened onto the aluminum foil layer in a well known manner.
- a transparent electrode 70 of suitable plastic such as a polyester film on an opposite surface of which is suitably deposited a second electrode 72 which may be in the form of a silver bus bar.
- a final layer 74 may be a suitable desiccant to eliminate moisture from the system 62.
- caps 76, 78 Overlying and underlying the electrodes 64, 72 and their associated layered components are upper and lower caps 76, 78, respectively, which are peripherally bonded, as by heat sealing, to encapsulate all of the components and maintain them hermetically sealed.
- the caps 76, 78 may be composed of a polyester or other suitable plastic material.
- One material which has been found to be particularly desirable for the purpose is the copolymer polychlorotrifluoroethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride, one source of which is Allied Chemical Corporation of Morristown, NJ which sells the material under the trademark "ACLAR".
- the composite layered system 62 is suitably bonded to the prismatic layer 22 in a manner similar to the bonding of the layer 34 to the layer 22 of the Figure 1 arrangement.
- Schematic electrical circuitry 80 is illustrated in Figure 3 for operating the composite layered system 62.
- a battery 82 is provided as a source of d.c. voltage, or electromotive force.
- Electrically coupled to the battery is a suitable inverter 84 which converts the d.c. output of the battery to a.c.
- Leads 86, 88 of copper or other suitable material connect, respectively, to the electrodes 64, 72.
- a switch 90 can be manually or automatically operated, in some desired fashion, to thereby cause to be generated an electrical field across the phosphor layer 68 with the result that the phosphor layer thereby becomes luminescent.
- the life expectancy of the radiance from the composite layered system 62 is substantially extended when combined with the microprism material 22.
- This desirable and unobvious result is achieved because, with the construction disclosed, it is not necessary to electrically energize the phosphor layer 68 as frequently to obtain a desired energy output when the composite layered system 62 is employed with the electrical circuitry 80 as compared with the use of that system but without the prismatic layer 22.
- FIG. 4 and 5 An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 in the form of layered reflecting and luminous material 100.
- the material 100 includes a first layer 102 of prismatic light reflective material which has an underlying surface 104 formed with a plurality of minute prism-like formations projecting therefrom at regular spaced intervals (not shown in detail in Figure 5) and an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface 106.
- a second layer 108 of phosphorescent material is attached or joined to the underlying surface of prism-like formations and is generally coextensive with the first layer 102.
- peripheral edges 112, 114 of the layers 102, 108, respectively, are proximately positioned.
- the material 100 is operated upon to join the first and second layers 102, 108 together along a continuous border 110 ( Figure 4) into a unitary structure in which the prism-like formations are substantially destroyed.
- the die may be, for example, of the heat sealing variety or of the type which can ultrasonically weld plastic materials together. With the aid of pressure applied to the die, in this manner, the border 110 of finite width is formed extending continuously along the peripheral edges 112, 114 and the prism-like formations coextensive with the border are thereby caused to be substantially destroyed.
- the border 110 encompasses and thereby defines a central region 116 at which the first layer and said second layer are physically distinct.
- the undersurface of the first layer 102 may be contiguous with the adjacent surface of the second layer 108, or there may be a space between the surfaces. In either event, the interface between the layers at the central region 116 is isolated from the surrounding atmosphere and the prism-like formations retain their original configuration.
- the material 100 simultaneously radiates phosphorescent light from the second layer 108 through the underlying surface 104 of prism-like formations and through the smooth light transmissive surface 106 and reflected light from the prism-like formations also passes through the smooth light transmissive surface 106 of the first layer. At the same time, only phosphorescent light radiates from the border 110.
- the layers 102, 108 need not be joined only adjacent the peripheral edges 112, 114, but may be so joined interiorly as depicted by spacer zones 117 between adjacent regions 116. Wherever the layers 102, 198 are so joined, however, the prism-like formations are destroyed, transforming the layer 102 to a substantially transparent state, eliminating the reflective properties of that layer and enhancing the self-luminating properties of the layer 108.
- a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material 118 may be applied to a surface of the layer 108 opposite the layer 102. Further, to protect the adhesive layer 118 until such time that it is to be placed into service, a sheet 120 of suitable backing material is caused to be protectively adhered to said layer of the adhesive material. The backing sheet 120 can be removed from the layered material 120 whenever desired in order to enable the material to be attached to an underlying or supporting structure.
- central regions 116 may be regularly shaped, in forms such as squares, rectangles, and the like, they may be of an infinite number of irregular designs. Additionally, indicia 122 may be formed in the material 100 to relate a desired message.
- FIG. 6 a modified version 124 of the layered reflecting and luminous material is depicted which utilizes thread or other suitable elongate material 126 in a sewing process for drawing together the light reflective and phosphorescent layers.
- a border 128 of finite width defines the region in which the prism-like formations of the light reflective layer are crushed or destroyed as in the material 100.
- the border 128 need not be located only adjacent the edges of the material 124 but are proximate the elongate material, wherever it is applied to the material.
- FIG. 7 Still another modified version 130 of the layered reflecting and luminous material is depicted in Figure 7.
- staples 132 or similar fasteners are employed for drawing together the light reflective and phosphorescent layers.
- a border 134 of finite width defines the region in which the prism-like formations of the light reflective layer are crushed or destroyed as in the material 100.
- the border 134 need not be located only adjacent the edges of the material 130 but are proximate the aligned staples, elongate material, wherever they are applied to the material.
- the layer 108 of luminescent material may be replaced by a composite layered system 62, then energized in the manner disclosed above with the aid of Figures 2 and 3.
- Retroreflective materials 150 utilizing cube corner formations of the type discussed above possess a characteristic which is highly beneficial for the present invention although, at an earlier time, it was generally-considered to be a significant drawback when considering such retroreflective materials by themselves.
- the property of retroreflective materials utilizing cube corner formations which enable such material to retroreflect requires that the light source being directed onto that material strike the surface in a substantially perpendicular manner. Viewing Fig. 8, the rays 152 of such light would, therefore, be directed onto the retroreflective surface generally within a range of approximately +/- 25° from perpendicularity and would reflect in a parallel fashion.
- the construction of retroreflective material 150 having cube corner formations is such that rays of light as represented at 154 are free to pass through the material 150 without substantial obstruction.
- This characteristic is used to the benefit of reflecting and luminescent layered material 156 (see Figs. 10 and 11) depicting this latest embodiment of the present invention.
- the material 156 includes a layer of prismatic light reflective material 150 which has an underlying surface 158 formed with a plurality of minute prism-like formations projecting away therefrom at regular spaced intervals and an overlying, substantially smooth, light transmissive surface 160.
- the retroreflective material 150 extends to a peripheral edge 162.
- a layer 164 of phosphorescent material is attached to the underlying surface of prism-like formations and is generally coextensive with the retroreflective material 150.
- the layer 164 likewise extends to a peripheral edge 166 which is disposed proximately to the peripheral edge 162.
- the layers 150, 164 are joined together into a unitary structure along a border 168 (Fig. 10) of finite width which extends continuously along the edges 162, 166.
- the prism-like formations which are coextensive with the border are substantially destroyed by the process employed to join the layers together.
- the border 168 thereby encompasses and defines a central region, or cavity, 170 wherein the layers 150 and 164 are physically distinct and separated.
- an electroluminescent lamp 172 Received within the central region 170 is an electroluminescent lamp 172 which has a luminescent surface 174 proximate the underlying surface 158 of the retroreflective material 150.
- the electroluminescent lamp 172 is preferably composed of flexible material having its own self contained power supply as diagrammatically indicated at 176.
- a commercially available lamp using so-called “thick-film” electroluminescence which has been found to be satisfactory for purposes of the invention is manufactured and sold under the trademark "LLS" by Loctite Luminescent Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Loctite Corporation of Hartford, Connecticut.
- a manually operated switch 178 on the power supply 176 can be used for selectively energizing the lamp 172. As seen in Fig.
- suitable encapsulated electrical leads 180 connect the power supply 176 to the lamp 172.
- the lamp 172 Upon operation of the switch 178, the lamp 172 is energized and radiates through the underlying surface 158 of the prism-like formations and through the light transmissive surface 160.
- the power supply 176 may operate the lamp 172 either continuously or intermittently, as desired, so long as the switch 178 is moved to the "on" position.
- the layer 164 of phosphorescent material as indicated in Fig. 11 provides an additional feature of safety, there are applications not according to the invention where this additional feature might not be required. For example, in an out-of-doors application where there may not be total darkness, the phosphorescent material would not be readily visible. For such applications, it may be desirable to provide a modified construction of the material as indicated at 156A in Fig. 12.
- the material 156A is of a simplified construction in which the retroreflective material 150 is suitably bonded to a backing member 182 which may be similar to the backing member employed in the construction depicted in Fig. 11.
- the backing member 182 may serve as the carrier for all of the other components of the material 156A and can be made of a variety of materials. It may, for example, be composed of vinyl, or fabrics, or other rigid or flexible supporting material. Indeed, the specific composition of the backing member 182 will not delete, change or diminish any of the functions of the material 156A, but is to allow the material 156A to be designed in a manner which can achieve the maximum quality of the product for each specific end use application to which it is assigned. In use, the material 156A would be used in the same manner as the material 156, the only difference being that there would be no afterglow once the lamp 172 had been extinguished.
- retroreflective materials of the type indicated at 150 having an underlying surface of prism-like formations that "wetting" the surface 158 will actually destroy their ability to retroreflect. Indeed, this occurs when transparent or translucent adhesives are applied to the surface 158.
- This phenomenon has been described in U.S. Patent No. 4,801,193 to Martin.
- Fig. 13 yet another modified version of the material is indicated at 156B which beneficially utilizes this characteristic feature of retroreflective materials.
- suitable adhesive 184 is employed to bond the lamp 172 to the retroreflective material 150.
- a layer 186 of suitable adhesive is employed to secure the lamp 172 to the backing member 182.
- a layer 186 of suitable adhesive is employed to secure the lamp 172 to the backing member 182.
- the material 156D comprises all of the components previously mentioned including retroreflective material 150, backing member 182, layer 164 of phosphorescent material on the backing member, the electroluminescent lamp 172 which is secured to the material 150 by the adhesive 184 and to the layer 164 by the adhesive 186.
- FIG. 16 Still another modified form of the material is depicted as material 156E in Fig. 16.
- the material 150 is suitably attached to the backing member 182 so as to define a modified central region 188 which is shaped and sized for fittingly receiving the lamp 172 therein.
- the lamp 172 is frictionally engaged by both the layer of material 150 and by the backing member 182 to thereby assure its firm support.
- modified material 156F is illustrated, similar to the material 156E of Fig. 16, but incorporating a layer 164 of the phosphorescent material.
- the underlying surface 158 may be "wetted" in a suitable manner to increase the brilliance of the light from the lamp 172 in the manner previously described with respect to Fig. 13.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
- Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- whereby in said second region said material simultaneously radiates phosphorescent light from said second layer through said underlying surface of cube corner formations and through said smooth light transmissive surface and reflected light from said cube corner formations through said smooth light transmissive surface of said first layer; and
- whereby only phosphorescent light radiates from said first region.
- retaining the first layer and the second layer physically distinct at a second region;
- whereby in the second region the material simultaneously radiates phosphorescent light from the second layer through the underlying surface of cube corner formations and through the smooth light transmissive surface and reflected light from the cube corner formations through the smooth light transmissive surface of the first layer; and
- whereby only phosphorescent light radiates from the first region.
Claims (10)
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (100,156) comprising:a first layer (102,150) of prismatic light reflective material having an underlying surface (104,158) formed with a plurality of minute cube corner formations projecting therefrom at regular spaced intervals and an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface (106,160); anda second layer (108,164) of phosphorescent material attached to said underlying surface of cube corner formations and generally coextensive therewith;whereby in said second region said material simultaneously radiates phosphorescent light from said second layer through said underlying surface of cube corner formations and through said smooth light transmissive surface and reflected light from said cube corner formations through said smooth light transmissive surface of said first layer; andwhereby only phosphorescent light radiates from said first region.
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (100,156) as set forth in claim 1wherein said first layer (102,150) has a first peripheral edge (112,162);wherein said second layer has a second peripheral edge (114,166); andwherein said first region includes a border (110,168) of finite width extending continuously along said first and second peripheral edges, said cube corner formations coextensive with said border being thereby substantially destroyed, said border encompassing and defining a central region (116,170) whereat said first layer and said second layer are physically distinct;whereby in said central region said material simultaneously radiates phosphorescent light from said second layer through said underlying surface of cube corner formations and through said smooth light transmissive surface and reflected light from said cube corner formations through said smooth light transmissive surface of said first layer; andwhereby only phosphorescent light radiates from said border.
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (100,156) as set forth in claim 1wherein said first (102,150) and second (108,164) layers are composed of vinyl.
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (156) as set forth in claim 1wherein said second layer (164) of phosphorescent material becomes luminous when electrically excited; and including:exciting means (176) for selectively creating an electric field in the region of said phosphorescent material to cause said phosphorescent material to become luminous.
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (100,156) as set forth in claim 1wherein said material includes a plurality of first regions (110,168) whereat said first layer and said second layer are joined together into a unitary structure such that said cube corner formations are substantially destroyed and a plurality of second regions (116,170) whereat said first layer and said second layer are physically distinct, said first and second regions mutually defining indicia (122) on said material;whereby in each of said second regions said material simultaneously radiates phosphorescent light from said second layer through said underlying surface of cube corner formations and through said smooth light transmissive surface and reflected light from said cube corner formations through said smooth light transmissive surface of said first layer; andwhereby only phosphorescent light radiates from each of said first regions.
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (156) as set forth in claim 4wherein said exciting means includes:an electroluminescent lamp (172) within the second region (170) having a luminous surface proximate said underlying surface of said first layer (150) andoperative means (176,178) for selectively energizing said electroluminescent lamp;whereby, when said lamp is energized, light therefrom radiates through said underlying surface (158) of cube corner formations and through said smooth light transmissive surface (160) and, simultaneously, reflected light from said cube corner formations partially energizes said second layer (164) of luminescent material; andwhereby, when said lamp is deenergized, phosphorescent light radiates from said second layer through said underlying surface of cube corner formations and through said smooth light transmissive surface.
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (156) as set forth in claim 6 including:a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material adherent to a surface of said second layer opposite said first layer; anda substantially planar backing member protectively adhered to said layer of adhesive material and selectively removable therefrom to enable said layered reflecting and luminous material to be attached to a supporting structure.
- Layered reflecting and luminous material (100,156) as set forth in claim 2wherein the central region (116) is isolated from the surrounding atmosphere.
- A method of making layered reflecting and luminous material (100,156) comprising the steps of:forming a first layer (102,150) of prismatic light reflective material so as to have an underlying surface (104,158) having a plurality of minute cube corner formations projecting therefrom at regular spaced intervals and an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface (106,160); andattaching a second layer (108,164) of phosphorescent material to the underlying surface of cube corner formations so as to be generally coextensive therewith;retaining the first layer and the second layer physically distinct at a second region (116,170);whereby in the second region the material simultaneously radiates phosphorescent light from the second layer through the underlying surface of cube corner formations and through the smooth light transmissive surface and reflected light from the cube corner formations through the smooth light transmissive surface of the first layer; andwhereby only phosphorescent light radiates from the first region.
- A method as set forth in claim 9wherein said first and second layers (102,108; 150,164) are joined together by any one technique including heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, sewing, and stapling.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/954,387 US5300783A (en) | 1992-05-26 | 1992-09-30 | Layered reflecting and luminous material |
US08/019,152 US5315491A (en) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-02-17 | Reflecting and luminous layered material |
US19152 | 1993-02-17 | ||
PCT/US1993/008569 WO1994008259A1 (en) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-09-10 | Reflecting and luminous layered material |
US954387 | 1997-10-20 |
Publications (3)
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EP0669008A4 EP0669008A4 (en) | 1995-07-03 |
EP0669008A1 EP0669008A1 (en) | 1995-08-30 |
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EP93922175A Expired - Lifetime EP0669008B1 (en) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-09-10 | Reflecting and luminous layered material |
Country Status (7)
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US (1) | US5315491A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0669008B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH08502131A (en) |
AU (1) | AU5127093A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2144071A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69322285T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994008259A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH08502131A (en) | 1996-03-05 |
AU5127093A (en) | 1994-04-26 |
EP0669008A1 (en) | 1995-08-30 |
WO1994008259A1 (en) | 1994-04-14 |
DE69322285D1 (en) | 1999-01-07 |
CA2144071A1 (en) | 1994-04-14 |
DE69322285T2 (en) | 1999-06-17 |
EP0669008A4 (en) | 1995-07-03 |
US5315491A (en) | 1994-05-24 |
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